How healthy are vitamin drinks?

How healthy are vitamin drinks?

A new study published in the journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that vitamin waters, energy drinks and juices were proven to have little to no nutritional benefits, despite their food labeling.

The beverages, containing nutrients like vitamin B6, B12, C and niacin, promised immune support, antioxidant boost, performance enhancements and emotional well-being, which can already be found in natural foods.

Researchers said that measures need to be taken in order for consumers not to be misled or exposed to unnecessarily high nutrient levels with no potential benefits.

“While our findings suggest that consumers stand to reap little or no benefit from the nutrient additions in novel beverages, most products were being marketed as if they provided a unique benefit to the consumer through the nutrient additions,” said Naomi Dachner, researcher at the University of Toronto, in a press release.

In fact, the study found that the nutrients listed in the beverages were so high that they exceeded the daily nutritional requirements.

The beverage brands typically aimed at young adults promised renewed vigor and energy, while helping them to focus or revive them after a late night.

Some nutrition experts question the science behind the vitamins in the drinks.

“I’ve always wondered the likelihood that the vitamins in these drinks were helpful,” says Melodi Peters, registered dietitian at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Ill. “Most of the drinks are usually high in sugar and contain lots of calories.”

Peters suggests it’s best to go with the tried and true beverage.

“If you’re going to choose a healthy drink, the best choice is always water,” she says.

To learn more about the benefits of vitamin B6, B12, C and niacin, and to learn about your daily intake visit National Institutes of Health.

 

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Comments

4 Comments

  1. Thanks for the great information in this article! Water is definitely the best choice.

  2. I drink Vitamin Water frequently, and figure it’s a better alternative than soda or water.

  3. Ernst Lamothe Jr January 16, 2015 at 12:57 pm · Reply

    For me, I just take natural multi-vitamins daily and that does the trick.

  4. I stopped drinking Vitamin Water after I saw it was distilled water. Distilled water has no minerals in it. Distilled water will leach the minerals out of your body. Why would we want to do that? This is counter productive.
    Francis

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health enews Staff
health enews Staff

health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.